Balanced scoring leads Rebels over Sullivan
By MATT KING\Daily Journal Sports Writer
Dec 11, 2004 - 23:53:50 CST
PARK HILLS - The Central Rebels put 10 players into the scoring column and played strong defense in the final minutes to snap a three-game losing streak in a 72-67 victory over the Sullivan Eagles during the Rotary Shoot-out at Mineral Area College on Saturday.
Nathan Whittaker turned in a marvelous effort for the Eagles (1-5) with 38 points, but the Central defense forced 16 turnovers and kept the remainder of the Sullivan squad in check.
The first quarter featured several lead changes and a fast pace up and down the floor. Monty Cooper gave Sullivan the early lead with the first two field goals of the game.
Central (3-3) successfully worked the ball inside early on. Brice Boren muscled his way in for a pair of low post baskets to give the Rebels their first lead at 10-9. Dribble penetration opened space for Brock Boren to drill the first of his four three-pointers on the night to make the spread four points.
Sullivan regained the lead late in the opening stanza, but an offensive putback by Dustin Jones and a driving layup by Ryan McFarland gave Central a 22-19 advantage at the conclusion.
The difference reached eight points when Central's Corey Beard hit a short baseline jumper, but Sullivan would come back before halftime. Whittaker broke ahead of the pack for an easy transition layup, and hit a pair of free throws on back-to-back possessions.
The Rebels piled up 14 fouls in the first half, but they were spread fairly evenly among the team. Central cashed in on some late contact from Sullivan by hitting four free throws in the final minute, leading to a 39-31 score at halftime.
Whittaker scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Eagles nearly erase their deficit. A backcourt steal and layup from the Sullivan senior made the score 45-43, but Brock Boren answered with a timely triple to swing the momentum back to the Rebels.
Central appeared to be on the verge of pulling away with a 9-0 run late in the third. McFarland capped the rally with a three-pointer to produce the largest point margin of the contest at 57-45, but Whittaker countered with a three of his own and two more field goals in the final 40 seconds as Sullivan trailed 59-54.
While the Rebels were mired in a scoreless drought for over three minutes, Whittaker continued his scoring assault with a conventional three-point play and an inside layup to tie the game.
Sullivan forged ahead 66-63 when Zack Carey followed a missed shot with 2:52 to play, but Central took charge from there. Brock Boren put the Rebels back on top with a big three-pointer after Beard scored from the baseline.
Brice Boren worked for a pivotal putback with 52 seconds left to give Central a 70-66 edge. The Eagles missed their final five shots from the field, and Central added a pair of late free throws to clinch the win.
Brice Boren led Central in scoring with 17 points, while his brother Brock added 12 points and six rebounds. McFarland also eclipsed double figures with 10 points.
Central will hit the road on Tuesday to play Herculaneum.
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Nathan Whittaker turned in a marvelous effort for the Eagles (1-5) with 38 points, but the Central defense forced 16 turnovers and kept the remainder of the Sullivan squad in check.
The first quarter featured several lead changes and a fast pace up and down the floor. Monty Cooper gave Sullivan the early lead with the first two field goals of the game.
Central (3-3) successfully worked the ball inside early on. Brice Boren muscled his way in for a pair of low post baskets to give the Rebels their first lead at 10-9. Dribble penetration opened space for Brock Boren to drill the first of his four three-pointers on the night to make the spread four points.
Sullivan regained the lead late in the opening stanza, but an offensive putback by Dustin Jones and a driving layup by Ryan McFarland gave Central a 22-19 advantage at the conclusion.
The difference reached eight points when Central's Corey Beard hit a short baseline jumper, but Sullivan would come back before halftime. Whittaker broke ahead of the pack for an easy transition layup, and hit a pair of free throws on back-to-back possessions.
The Rebels piled up 14 fouls in the first half, but they were spread fairly evenly among the team. Central cashed in on some late contact from Sullivan by hitting four free throws in the final minute, leading to a 39-31 score at halftime.
Whittaker scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Eagles nearly erase their deficit. A backcourt steal and layup from the Sullivan senior made the score 45-43, but Brock Boren answered with a timely triple to swing the momentum back to the Rebels.
Central appeared to be on the verge of pulling away with a 9-0 run late in the third. McFarland capped the rally with a three-pointer to produce the largest point margin of the contest at 57-45, but Whittaker countered with a three of his own and two more field goals in the final 40 seconds as Sullivan trailed 59-54.
While the Rebels were mired in a scoreless drought for over three minutes, Whittaker continued his scoring assault with a conventional three-point play and an inside layup to tie the game.
Sullivan forged ahead 66-63 when Zack Carey followed a missed shot with 2:52 to play, but Central took charge from there. Brock Boren put the Rebels back on top with a big three-pointer after Beard scored from the baseline.
Brice Boren worked for a pivotal putback with 52 seconds left to give Central a 70-66 edge. The Eagles missed their final five shots from the field, and Central added a pair of late free throws to clinch the win.
Brice Boren led Central in scoring with 17 points, while his brother Brock added 12 points and six rebounds. McFarland also eclipsed double figures with 10 points.
Central will hit the road on Tuesday to play Herculaneum.